Lee Min Woo, "I was destined to become a singer" [Interview]

Lee Min Woo finally made a solo comeback after 5 years of break.

It's been 16 years since he made his first debut as a member of SHINHWA, and 10 years since his solo debut. However, Lee Min Woo still looked as eager and as passionate as many other younger idol stars on the field.

◇The new title track, 'Taxi'

'Taxi', the title track of Lee Min Woo's new album 'M+TEN', was, indeed, written back in 2009. The song was going to be included in 'Minnovation' album, which was released in June, 2009, but Lee Min Ho thought that the song is too good to become just one of the many sequel tracks, and he decided to keep it for another album.

Lee Min Woo said, "While listening through all of the tracks for 'Minnovation' album, I thought 'Taxi' was just too good to be released as one of the many sequel tracks. I thought that I should make a better use of that song. While thinking about the concept for this new album, a new arrangement of 'Taxi' suddenly hit me an idea, and I knew that I was going to make it my new title track at an instant."

Lee Min Woo told that he wanted to use 'Taxi' when showing a different side of him, and indeed, 'Taxi' is of a style that Lee Min Woo never presented before. His vocal part almost sounds like he was drunk when recording, and his hairstyle looks like as if he just got up from sleep.

It seems that he approached the song with a much more relaxed manner, and his new choreography also expresses the same atmosphere.

Lee Min Woo said, "Drums, bass, piano, and various other real sounds are the main in this album. I also tried to avoid excessively powerful movements when designing the new choreography. I wanted to go a bit lighter, brighter, but original."

He went on, "My new choreography has four main parts, and I'm confident that people will love all of them."

Another interesting fact is that Lee Min Woo got into an interesting situation in taxi because of 'Taxi'. Lee Min Woo said, "One day, I had a dinner with my friend, and headed over to Itaewon for (Hong)Suk Chun's birthday party."

He went on, "I got my friend to listen to 'Taxi' while moving to Itaewon, and the taxi driver asked me what song it was. I told him that it is a new song that I'm about to release, and the singer asked me if I was a singer. However, he recognized me right away as I mentioned SHINHWA, and said, 'I think the song would do well. It is very catchy.'"

◇ 16 years as a SHINHWA member, and 11 years as a soloist

It's been 16 years since he made his first debut as a member of SHINHWA, and it's been 11 years since he made his solo debut. To many younger singers, Lee Min Woo literally is a 'legendary' figure. Lee Min Woo, who is also aware of this, told that he feels a very heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

Lee Min Woo said, "It's been 16 years since I started my singing career, and I think I should show as much things to people. I'd like to express a profound gratitude to my fans for all the supports that they showed for us. I've gained a lot f confidence and sense of responsibility while making all the way here. I should keep doing my best so that I can set up an example for younger musicians."

He also drew attention by making advices for many younger idol stars.

Lee Min Woo said, "I watched EXO's dance performance video before their debut, and I knew that they were going to become superstars. I also felt that they would bring a major sensation when they released their 2nd album. As I know, they spent many years as trainees, and I think all of the efforts are getting paid back. I'm also very looking forward to the members' solo debuts."

Lee Min Woo also drew attention by choosing 'WINNER' as his most anticipated idol group. He told that he watched every episodes of TV show 'WINNER', and said, "Team A, the winning team, is overflowing with humongous talents."

He went on, "I recently watched their proxy of 'The Inheritors', and I was cracked up. I can't wait to listen to their new album. It is a lot of fun to keep watching new idol groups' debut."

Regarding girl groups, Lee Min Woo said, "Girl groups can do quite many concepts. I'm sure all of the male fans are happy about the 'sexy battle' that is going on these days. I think their 'sexiness' and our 'sexiness' are quite far apart from each other. Idols got much more audacious these days. I sometimes get surprised, but it is still very fun to keep watching new idol stars' births."

Lee Min Woo told that his new choreography will involve 4 female back dancers, and as the reporter suggested him doing a performance with Girl's Day, Lee Min Woo replied, "It should be fun."

◇ The plan for 2014


After finishing the promotion of the upcoming album in February, Lee Min Woo will be participating in SHINHWA's solo concert in March, and start his own solo Asia tour in April.

Lee Min Woo said, "I will be very busy during the first half of the year. But, I am very glad to be meeting with my fans much more often."

He also mentioned about SHINHWA's upcoming solo concert and new album.

Lee Min Woo said, "Only 5 members will be participating in this year's concert. Some fans might get disappointed for Andy's absence, but there are some things that we decided for Andy. Fans will see what it is at the concert, and five of us will show even great energy. We are still SHINHWA."

Lee Min Woo also said, "Andy will be joining us for our new album, which will be released around winter," and "SHINHWA don't have particular specialty genre, but we still do not want to get out of our usual big frame. We want to be classy, but unconventional."

Lee Min Woo went on, "I find SHINHWA's music very difficult. I just need to care about myself when doing a solo song, but all of the members need to be happy when working together."

As the reporter asked him to make a #1 debut pledge, he said, "#1 debut is impossible without fans' supports, so I agree that I will have to give something back when I debut #1. If 'Taxi' actually debuts #1, I will try to get my teammates to perform 'Taxi' during our concert."

Lee Min Woo has been continuing his career during last 16 years, but many fans are showing great curiosities about until when he will keep continuing his idol career.

Lee Min Woo said, "I feel happiest when singing and dancing on stage. I do not want a mundane life, and I think I was destined to become an entertainer. I want to just keep doing this until my last day, and I think that would be possible as long as I have fans to enjoy with."

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